eSwatini: Pro-democracy activists call on king for talks

The leaders of pro-democracy groups in eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) are calling on the country’s absolute monarch, King Mswati III, to allow open discussions on the future of democracy in the kingdom. 

Six political parties have formed the Political Parties Assembly (PPA) to advocate for a change to Swaziland’s present political system. As it stands, political parties are banned from taking part in elections and groups that advocate for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act. The leaders of the PPA had their homes raided by police on Friday and their phones and laptops confiscated. 

At a media conference on Saturday, the PPA called on King Mswati to embrace talks on democracy.

Mllungisi Mukhanya, president of the outlawed People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), said at the conference, “The King should convene a session where the people will dialogue. He has to mandate a team to engage with us. We don't mean we should engage with him personally because that would lower his status as King but he can delegate a team mandated to discuss the governing of the country alongside the reigning monarch”.

There is now open hostility in eSwatini between supporters of the PPA and state police. Jan Sithole, president of the Swaziland Democratic Party, told the media conference that the police had been politicised and were taking actions on behalf of the government. 

Further police action is expected. Mr Sithole told the conference, 'We are committed to the spirit of no retreat, no surrender, forward forever.’

Calls for wider democracy are growing in eSwatini, with several anti-monarchy demonstrations taking place in recent months. Critics of King Mswati III highlight his lavish lifestyle while most of his 1.2 million subjects live in poverty.

The country remains the only absolute monarchy remaining in Africa.

Photo credit: Africanews